The Springfield School District violated the stateís Open Meetings Act by failing to adequately inform the public about the nature of a separation agreement with former Superintendent Walter Milton, the Illinois attorney generalís office concluded.

Thursdayís ruling comes five months after a Sangamon County judge overturned a prior ruling from the AGís office that the previous board violated the open meetings law when it signed a separation agreement with Milton without first notifying the public.

In November, Judge Steven Nardulli said signing the document in closed session didnít constitute a final action by the board.

However, Nardulli remanded the attorney general to further investigate if only posting information about the terms of the agreement on the districtís website and not publicly discussing those terms before the vote was a violation of the law.

The AG ruled Thursday that posting the agreement on the website did not constitute a public recital and that comments made by board members leading up to the vote were insufficient for the public to comprehend the purpose and effect of the boardís action.

The attorney general directed the board to conduct future meetings in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. No fines or punishment were levied.

Former State Journal-Register reporter Molly Beck filed the original complaint.